Rammed Earth and Stone Wall Construction Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary material composition of rammed earth used in wall construction?

Mud, straw, and lime

Cement, sand, and gravel

Concrete, bricks, and plaster

Clay, silt, sand, and water (correct)

Which method involves compressing a damp soil mixture in layers no greater than 6 inches?

Slip-forming construction

Rammed-earth construction (correct)

Wet-laid stone construction

Dry stacked stone assembly

What is one advantage of stabilized adobe?

It is more environmentally friendly.

Increases strength and limits water absorption. (correct)

Requires less workmanship.

It can be easily shaped into bricks.

What is a disadvantage of using wet-laid stone walls?

They require a drainage system. Signup and view all the answers

Which method of stone wall construction relies entirely on gravity to maintain structure?

Dry stacked stone Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic does stabilized adobe lose when mixed with Portland cement?

Net zero carbon emissions Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary disadvantage of dry stacked stone walls?

They do not keep water out effectively. Signup and view all the answers

Which component could potentially increase the embodied energy of stabilized adobe?

Chemical compounds Signup and view all the answers

What type of weathering is suitable for exterior walls and foundations with direct contact in subfreezing temperatures?

Severe Weathering Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT used in masonry above grade?

Concrete Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of mortar in masonry?

To hold bricks together Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'anisotropic' refer to in materials like wood?

Variations in properties based on grain direction Signup and view all the answers

Which type of lintel spans the opening between two vertical supports?

Steel Angle Lintel Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct pairing of the mix function for grout?

To fill vertical spaces in walls Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method used to bond two wythes in a double-wythe brick wall?

Reinforced steel ties Signup and view all the answers

How do plainsawn and quartersawn lumber differ in performance characteristics?

Quartersawn has less shrinkage and warping Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the outer layer of a rain-screen cladding system?

To shed most of the rain Signup and view all the answers

What is a critical aspect of bamboo construction that affects its longevity?

Proper cutting and drying of bamboo Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes load-bearing straw-bale construction?

Uses bales to support the roof directly Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of bundling bamboo into culms?

It enhances flexibility and energy absorption Signup and view all the answers

Which method of bamboo treatment is considered non-chemical?

Temperature steaming Signup and view all the answers

How does the non-load bearing straw-bale construction method differ from the load-bearing method?

It serves only as insulation within a frame Signup and view all the answers

What does the air cavity in a rain-screen cladding system primarily do?

Drain water that penetrates the outer layer Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using load-bearing straw-bale construction?

It is harder to permit and less flexible Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant drawback of plainsawn logs compared to quartersawn logs?

Plainsawn logs tend to swell and shrink unevenly. Signup and view all the answers

Why is quartersawn lumber preferred when stability is critical?

It is less likely to be affected by moisture changes. Signup and view all the answers

Which framing method is more fire resistant?

Platform framing Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of carbon content is associated with wrought iron?

0.1% Signup and view all the answers

Which material is characterized by being brittle and hard with a high carbon content?

Cast iron Signup and view all the answers

What structural advantage does platform framing have over balloon framing?

It reduces the risk of fire spreading between floors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common project that utilized steel as a primary material?

The Reliance Building (Chicago) Signup and view all the answers

How does the carbon content affect the properties of steel?

Higher carbon content increases brittleness. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes open web joists from solid structural beams?

Open web joists offer equal support with less material Signup and view all the answers

How does the amount of carbon in steel affect its malleability?

More carbon increases strength but decreases malleability Signup and view all the answers

What does 'material origin' refer to in the context of construction?

The raw form and sustainability of the material Signup and view all the answers

What is a main advantage of using open web joists in construction?

They can span longer distances with less material. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of construction logic?

It focuses on technical arrangement of materials. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the properties of wrought iron compared to other metals?

Wrought iron has lower tensile strength than steel. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of workload, how does lumber's description change when viewed through construction logic?

It is classified based on its strength in compression. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of open web joists compared to solid structural beams?

They are limited in overhang potential. Signup and view all the answers

What type of glass block is used in the construction of the Maison Hermes store?

Hollow glass blocks Signup and view all the answers

How are the glass blocks in the Maison Hermes store connected?

By fusing two halves leaving a partial vacuum Signup and view all the answers

What construction technique is used to create the curved facade of the Maison Hermes store?

Curved blocks of different sizes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the elements between the structure and the glass screen?

To absorb stress and flexibility during earthquakes Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic property of bricks mentioned in the content?

Effective in compression Signup and view all the answers

Which construction material is noted for having 0 carbon emissions if not using Portland cement?

Rammed earth Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of using steel reinforcement in concrete?

Provides tension strength Signup and view all the answers

Which type of stone construction allows for recycling when dry stacked?

Dry stacked stone Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of bamboo makes it suitable for construction in curved geometries?

High resistance to tension and elasticity Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of concrete blocks enhances structural capacity?

Hollow sections and reinforced steel bars Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining property of glass as a building material?

Strong compression but weak in tension Signup and view all the answers

What kind of connections are used to attach the steel frame to the concrete core of the structure?

Steel joints Signup and view all the answers

What construction technique compresses earthen materials without firing them?

Adobe construction Signup and view all the answers

What is the main challenge of using a lintel in construction?

It does not support well in tension Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Building Construction Methods

Rammed earth construction uses a mixture of clay, silt, sand, and water, compressed and dried to form walls. The mixture is formed into blocks using forms (wooden or metal), and compacted in layers no more than 6" thick, bonding to the previous layer.
Slip-forming construction is another method for creating walls.

Stabilized Adobe

Stabilized adobe is a mixture of portland cement and other chemical compounds added to adobe.
Advantages include increased strength and reduced water absorption, allowing for exposed surfaces.
Disadvantages include higher embodied energy, making it less sustainable than traditional adobe.

Stone-Laying Methods

Wet-laid stone wall: Uses mortar as a binding agent. It's typically finished with a facing of another material.
- Advantage: Impervious to water due to mortar sealing.
- Disadvantage: Needs a drainage system (weep holes) to prevent water build-up. Cracks can occur along mortar joints.
Dry-stacked stone: No mortar is used; gravity and balance hold the stones in place.
- Advantage: Allows natural stone to be used without altering its form; Allows for natural drainage and ventilation.
- Disadvantage: Less durable; attracts insects, lizards, and small animals.

Cladding Systems

A rain-screen cladding system, used in the Valletta City Gate, creates a physical separation between the outside of the facade and its interior wall. This allows for ventilation to prevent humidity in the building's interior.

Bamboo Construction

Humidity, fungi, lichens, and insects can damage bamboo. Cutting and drying are essential for longevity.
Some ways to protect bamboo include methods like immersion, injection, or pressure treatment using borax salts.
Vertical sap diffusion in containers or temperature steaming.

Straw Bale Construction

Load-bearing: No frame; bales resist lateral loads, usually for single-story structures. Simpler and less expensive but offers less flexibility.
Non-load-bearing: Straw bales are used as infill and insulation within a structural system (such as timber frame). More flexible and permits wider spans but more complex and expensive.

Concrete Mix

Concrete mixture is a ratio of cement, sand, and coarse aggregates.
Water content is inversely proportional to compressive strength. Higher water content increases workability but decreases strength. Hydraulic settling occurs when water causes cement to harden.

Admixtures

Admixtures are substances added to concrete to alter its properties, like water-reducing agents. These agents reduce the amount of water needed to create workable concrete.

Steel Reinforcement in Concrete

Steel bars are used to reinforce concrete because concrete is weak in tension. The steel takes on the tensile and shearing stress, which improves structural integrity and decreases the risk of cracking.
Steel needs protection from exposure to air and water to prevent rusting. Corrosion weakens the steel and degrades the bond with the concrete.

Wood Formwork

Wood formwork is used for creating walls, typically, to shape concrete structures.
Wood formwork is temporary and can be reused.

Brick Grades

Brick grades are categorized based on their durability in different climates, such as severe weathering (e.g., freezing and thawing), moderate weathering (occasional freezing), and negligible weathering (interior use).

Mortar, Grout, and Concrete

Mortar, grout, and concrete, while having similar constituents (cement mix, sand, gravel, water), possess different mix proportions, resulting in varying properties and functions.

Masonry Bonding

Masonry units like bricks are bonded together beyond using mortar.
- Steel reinforcement or metal ties placed in cavities filled with grout.
- Header bricks placed perpendicular to walls, tying sections together.

Lintel

A lintel is a horizontal structural element that spans the opening between vertical supports. Common types include steel angle lintels, reinforced brick lintels, and concrete masonry lintels.

Anisotropy in Wood

Anisotropy means a material's physical properties differ depending on the grain direction. Wood is anisotropic, meaning it behaves differently in tension and compression depending on the grain orientation. Strength and stability are better when beams or boards are oriented parallel to the wood grain.

Lumber Cutting

Plainsawn: Lumber is cut in parallel planes, often leading to more uneven shrinkage, swelling, and twisting. It is less expensive.
Quartersawn: Lumber is cut in diagonal planes, leading to more even performance. This results in improved stability but is more expensive and demanding.

Platform Framing

Platform framing is a common method of light-wood frame construction where, unlike balloon framing, each floor is constructed before the next. This design feature increases fire resistance.

Material Properties for Metals

Wrought Iron: low carbon content; soft, ductile and malleable. Good for prefabrication such as the Eiffel Tower.
Steel: higher carbon content; strong in tension and compression. Used for large buildings such as The Reliance Building.
Cast Iron: high carbon content; brittle, hard, and good in compression. It is not flexible, however, suitable for projects like the Crystal Palace.

Structural Steel Beams

Open web roof joists are used as lateral support along with steel beams for load distribution in the structural system of a building, helping to distribute and bear load across larger spans.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the construction techniques of rammed earth and stone walls. This quiz covers material compositions, advantages and disadvantages of various methods, and the properties of stabilized adobe. Challenge yourself with questions that delve into the intricacies of these eco-friendly building practices!